A man on our books since before he was eight-years-old, young forward Harry Draper signed his first professional deal at Boro’ in summer 2019. It came after a season in which the lad had been out on work experience with several lower league clubs. The first of those clubs were neighbours Hitchin Town. And it’d be to Top Field that Draper would go on a season-long loan straight after turning pro at the Lamex.

In his time at Boro’ and in the youth setup, Draper was part of a successful side; one that did well in the FA Youth Cup. At 6’3, the striker is actually the first Stevenage-born Academy product to progress right through our system. With time on his side, hopefully the future will see Draper go on to big and bright things with his hometown club. He’d already made an impact at our old rivals from down the A602.

Not that we’d want to be encouraging such things, obviously. It is Hitchin after all…

Harry Draper: After Boro’? Not quite yet…

It seemed as if Draper’s time with us was up at the end of the 2019-20 campaign. With a job lot allowed to leave, his name was among 22 that were heading outbound. Unlike the bulk of that 22, however, his was not a welcome inclusion. Quite what happened isn’t our question to ask. And we won’t. It could’ve been miscommunication or even a mistake. It’s not as if they don’t happen. The bottom line is that Draper was back in with our ranks for the start of the 2020-1 season. And he was about the club for the season after that.

In summer 2022, however, it was confirmed that Draper would be leaving the club (again?).